Dear Tineoidea,

Ah, nothing outside of the average child’s mischief.

Good, so you don’t feel guilty about having caused her pain, or anything like that?

It’s just that not all mothers are as caring and involved.

Do you know of a mother who hasn’t been too caring and involved with their children?

Perhaps I’ve been trying to copy the traits my mother displayed during my upbringing, the absolute loyalty and utmost care no matter what, bearing with everything. While such behavior is only natural when directed towards your children, I guess one has to be more assertive with friends and lovers.

Right. It could be that you behaved like an unconditionally loving mother with your former friend. You tolerated everything. You remained loyal, “no matter what”. Perhaps you took pity on him because his mother wasn’t loving and caring?